Page 15 - NGA NATURALmag 2018 FALL Issue

Fall 2018
BY LAMEESA MUHAMMAD PHD FRAGMENTALIST@YAHOO COM
Life has a a a a a a a a a a way of o throwing curve balls balls Sometimes we are able to dodge these balls without getting hit while at at other times we we are thrown completely off the the the path It is in in in these instances when we we begin to question our fortitude and and strength and and won- der if it it fit may be be better to to give up rather than to to to stay the the course For those of us us who are are fit- ness enthusiasts tough times times are are sometimes the reason why we we maintain our dedication
to fitness This is is because we we know that being active on any level a a a a a a a a a much better choice than eating a a a a a a a a a a bag of of Oreo cookies dipped in in in choco- late milk while watching reruns of of our favorite show can be exactly what we need to get us over the the bump in the the road Over the the course of of my time dedicated to to the the sport of of bodybuilding I have come to to appreciate working out because it it does more than transform the physical appearance of my body it it is also what keeps me me me mentally stable when I am navi- gating through tough times Like anyone else my life has not always been been peaches n’ cream There have have been been been good times times as as as well as as as bad times times and some periods that have have been been a a a a a a a a a lot rougher than others In the the spring of of 2017 after going through some major trials I I decided to seek the the assistance of of a a a a a a licensed psychologist to help me me process what was was taking place Some sessions later I was was diag- nosed with Major Depressive Disorder Surprised to some degree degree I I knew from having one college degree degree in in in psychology that I I used coping skills quite well and was adaptable which made it it very difficult for anyone to to see on on on the outside how a a a a a a a a a a a professional educator like myself with a a a a a a PhD could possibly suffer from depression When I I talked with the psychologist about this diagnosis I I I was was informed that I I I I was was was high functioning and and because I I I I “worked out” and and was was “adaptable” I I I I could choose how often I I I needed talk therapy required no medication and this was due to to my commitment to to to the the gym This he he he said is is is what “saved” me me me from sinking into the the typical behaviors of a a a a a a a clinically depressed person I I continued to to work out after hearing this and took detailed notes on on how I I used the the gym to to to help me process many of the the the trials in in my life into realities that I I had the the the power to to work through I I also reflected upon how on on on many of the the the days in which I I I felt my worst I I I consciously made the the deci- sion that I I I I I would go work out “no matter what” because I I I I I needed it to to feel better which I I I I I always did after I I I I I left the the the gym But what I I I I I found to to be be be the the the greatest importance was the the the the attitude I I I developed which forced me me to to to persevere in in using the the healthi- est tools available as a a a a a a a a a a means of sustenance to to to to keep moving even if things are grim and to to to tell myself “DON’T qUIT ” n n n n Lameesa Muhammad PhD is is an an an an NGA PRO Figure Master competitor a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a personal trainer and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a sponsored athlete at at at at at Lean Styles Proactive Weight Loss and and and and Fitness Center in in in in in Cincinnati Ohio She She is is is the owner of of of of Flour Gurl Healthyer Treats & Delectables creator of of of of of Sunday Body Blast and and and model for Natural Woman Magazine She She She is is is an an an an an an an educator social service professional and and and co-author of of of of of two publications She She is is currently working on on on on a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a publication publication which will highlight the unique plight of of of of African American homeschoolers NGA NATURALmag
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